Painter, Heber (1841-1900) to sister Ella
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02016.094 Author/Creator: Painter, Heber (1841-1900) Place Written: Staunton, Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 19 November 1865 Pagination: 4 p. ; 25 x 20 cm. Order a Copy
Writes that he has been appointed court recorder and Provost Marshall. Two military commissions will convene for two murder trials. Everyone is anxiously awaiting the upcoming Congressional meeting, which will determine whether soldiers will remain in service during the winter and if Southern congressmen will be admitted into Congress. He is not sure he will be able to go home anytime soon, as there is no chance of mustering out and a furlough would require an expensive trip home. Writes that if she sends him $100 dollars, he will apply for furlough.
Before joining the service, Painter was a trained printer from Danville, Pennsylvania. He was mustered as a private into F Company of the 58th Pennsylvania infantry on 8 October 1861 and transferred to I Company on 1 March 1862. While in I Company, he was promoted to Sergeant and eventually mustered out on 21 January 1866 as First Lieutenant. Painter also held a post as Quartermaster's clerk, and performed freedman duties shortly after the war ended.
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